5 Common Injuries After a Truck Accident

Commercial trucking accidents are far more likely to result in death or serious injuries than accidents between two passenger vehicles. And according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), approximately three out of every four people killed in large truck crashes are passenger vehicle occupants. Those who survive these accidents often suffer catastrophic injuries that have a devastating impact on their lives. Many injury victims and their families face mounting medical bills, lost wages from time missed from work, rehabilitation costs, and the cost of ongoing medical care if the victim suffers from a debilitating condition.

There are several types of injuries that can occur after a truck accident, here are five of the most common:

Head and Brain Injuries

Trucking accidents often cause a jolt or blow to the head, which can result in a condition known as traumatic brain injury (TBI). TBI is a unique injury because very often, it is not discovered until some time has passed after the accident, and it manifests itself differently in each individual.

More mild forms of TBI (commonly referred to as concussions) may result in temporary loss of consciousness or memory. Severe forms can last for months or years, resulting in a wide range of symptoms; such as dizziness, nausea and vomiting, extreme and lasting headaches, difficulty with concentration/focus, frequent agitation/irritation, fatigue, mood/behavioral changes, and many others.

Neck and Back Injuries

Because of the jarring force that affects occupants of passenger vehicles when they crash into a truck, neck and back injuries are common in truck accidents. Injuries can range in severity from minor aches and pains to debilitating conditions. Even relatively minor back and neck injuries can result in high medical costs and cause victims to miss work for an extended period of time.

Spinal Cord Injuries

The high impact of a crash with a truck also makes injuries to the spinal cord fairly commonplace after a trucking accident. Like traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries are not always detected right away, and often require a full medical exam that includes an MRI. Severe spinal cord injures can result in partial or full paralysis.

Burn Injuries

Burns are more common with truck accidents because of the size of the truck and the damage it can cause the other vehicle on impact. During a crash with a truck, there is a greater risk of rupturing the fuel tank and causing explosions and fires. Some burn injuries are minor and only penetrate the first layer of skin (epidermis). These are called first-degree burns. Second-degree burns penetrate the epidermis and the layer below (dermis). Third-degree burns are more severe, penetrating through both layers, charring skin, and often requiring multiple medical procedures and an extended recovery time.

Internal Injuries

Another injury that happens more because of the sheer force of the truck on the body of occupants of the other vehicle is an internal injury. Internal bleeding and damage to internal organs is not always known right away, again underscoring the need for those involved in a truck accident to seek immediate medical attention.

Determining Fault in Truck Accident Injury Cases

Trucking accident cases are typically far more complicated than standard auto accidents. Often, there are multiple parties that could be responsible, and it can be difficult to uncover the root cause of the incident. Some of the parties that could potentially be at-fault in a truck accident include the driver, trucking company, truck owner, transport company that loaded the truck, or the vehicle/vehicle part designer, manufacturer, supplier, or distributor. To get to the bottom of the case, it is important for the victim to work with a skilled professional who knows what to look for and has a successful track record representing other truck accident victims.

Contact a Seasoned Truck Accident Lawyer in Alabama

When someone is injured in an accident with a truck, it is often a life-altering event, and because of the complexities involved with these types of cases, strong legal representation is necessary in order to ensure you receive full compensation. At Alsobrook Jackson, Attorneys at Law, we have represented numerous truck accident victims in Alabama. We thoroughly understand federal trucking regulations and state laws, and we put our extensive experience to work to explore every potential legal avenue and aggressively pursue damages on behalf of each client we serve.

To schedule a free consultation with one of our skilled attorneys, call our office today at 334-737-3718, or send us a secure and confidential message through our web contact form.

The Alsobrook Law Firm is located in Opelika, AL and serves clients in and around Opelika, Loachapoka, Auburn, Salem, Waverly, Cusseta, Smiths, Barbour County, Bullock County, Calhoun County, Chambers County, Clay County, Cleburne County, Coosa County, Dale County, Elmore County, Henry County, Lee County, Macon County, Montgomery County, Pike County, Randolph County, Russell County, Talladega County and Tallapoosa County.

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